7 Ways a Buyer Used His Auction Finds to Decorate a Farmhouse

Post Date: Sep 01, 2023

One Instagram-er named Miguel (@mianro), shares his Shipshewana auction finds to his social media followers. He restored a 1900s farmhouse in Albion, Indiana, and loves to look for antique finds to go with his decor.

Miguel attended his first auction back in 2015 when a friend told him about it. We reached out to him to see if we could showcase the creative way he chooses to use his finds to decorate his farmhouse. Take a look!

1. Old Barn Door

"This is one of my absolute favorite finds at the auction. The old barn door is now a door into one of my bedrooms.

When I found the door at the auction, I didn't really know where it was going to be used but I knew I loved it and had to have it." 

2. Birdcage Lamp

"I bought this Asian themed bird cage at Shipshewana Auction because it would be perfect as a lamp in my oriental-themed guest room.

I used parchment paper and inserted an inexpensive lamp base in it. I love the way it turned out."

3. Door Knob Coat Rack

"Another project completed! I made a coat rack with a live edge board Doug cut for me, and for the hangers, I used antique door knobs I got at the Shipshewana Antique Auction.

All I did to the board was covered it with a coat of linseed oil."

4. Bathroom Decor

"Another find at the Shipshewana Auction were these vintage brushes, mirrors and combs.

Started cleaning boxes and found the box full of these mirrors, brushes and combs. The idea hit me to display them in the bathroom and they will come in handy if any guests need to brush their hair or ask a mirror, 'Who's the fairest of them all?"

5. License Plate Nightstand

"I bought this nightstand for $5 at the Shipshewana Auction. No one was bidding on it, but I saw a potential project.

I was going through my storage totes and found the license plates I collected from the different states I visited...and the light bulb in my head went off.

I sanded the loose paint off of it and attached the plates with antique screws. I will do a clear coat over the whole thing and get a glass top for it."

6. Boat Oar Handrail

"Bought these old boat oars at the Shipshewana Antique Auction and my old farmhouse staircase did not have a handrail; So after finding some antique brackets, I installed them as a handrail today. I love it!"

7. Unusual Brackets

"I found the perfect brackets to install my old baseball bat as a towel rack on my kitchen island!"

He offers this advice to auction newbies: "First-time buyers should go get a number and enjoy the thrill of bidding and winning!"

Thank you, Miguel, for sharing your creativity and auction finds with us!

For more information about buying and selling at the Wednesday Shipshewana Antique Auction, Visit Our Webpage.

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